A Silent Spring in His Step

Al Gore called for a renewed commitment to environmental protection during a Saturday campaign stop at the Pennsylvania birthplace of environmental pioneer Rachel Carson. He spoke of how her groundbreaking book "Silent Spring" influenced his own evolution as an environmentalist, and noted that he has been attacked by polluting special interests for writing "Earth in the Balance," just as Carson was attacked after publishing her work. In a lengthy article about Gore's experience writing his book, the Washington Post notes that he originally wanted to call it "The New World War," to indicate the urgency of environmental problems. Though the environment has long been Gore's signature issue, some saw Gore's Saturday speech as a way to fend off Green Party candidate Ralph Nader, who is trying to appeal to green-minded voters.